Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc.

E W Smith

Douglas J Sharp

A latch system is provided having utility in securing a door or planar member in a fixed position within a housing having a portal. The portal includes a defined periphery with a plurality of apertures therein. The planar member is pivotally mounted adjacent the portal. A rotatable member is mounted adjacent to the planar member. The latch system also includes a plurality of elongate members, each of the elongate members having a first end adapted to slidably enter an associated aperture and a second end pivotally mounted to the rotatable member, wherein rotation of the rotatable member will cause both angular and axial movement of the elongate members. Rotation of the rotatable member in one direction causes the first ends of the elongate member to engage associated apertures securing the planar member in a closed position. Rotation in the opposite direction causes the first ends to disengage from associated apertures permitting the planar member to pivot, allowing the planar member to be moved into an open position. Guide members are provided for assisting and guiding movement of the plurality of elongate members into and out of the apertures. In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, a latch element is provided intermediate the rotatable member and at least one associated guide member, wherein the latch element may be utilized to selectively restrict angular movement of at least one member of the plurality of elongate members.

Kennel latch

A latching mechanism having utility in securing a pivotable member in at least one position with respect to a stationary structure. The housing includes a base that is adapted to be mounted adjacent the pivotable member (e.g., a cage door), with the base lying in a plane which is generally parallel to the plane established by the cage door. A pair of spaced flanges is affixed to the base, with each of the flanges extending away from the door and lying in planes which are generally perpendicular to the base. Each of the flanges has two openings which are adapted to slidably receive first and second elongated appendages, with both appendages being slidably held with respect to the housing, and with each appendage having an outer region extending outwardly away from the housing. The two latching appendages are adapted to move in different directions, with the appendage outer regions being configured to engage a portion of the stationary structure (i.e., the cage enclosure) so as to hold the cage door in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a control device for manipulating the appendages so as to slidably move the latching appendages inwardly (with respect to the housing). The control device includes a pair of protuberances, each having a length which is sufficient as to be easily engaged by a single digit of a user's hand. A pair of coil springs is provided for continuously urging the appendages in different directions away from the housing. A pair of cap-like members are ideally affixed to the exterior surface of each of the protuberances so as to facilitate gripping the protuberances with at least one digit of a person's hand.

Latching mechanism

A latching mechanism having utility in securing a pivotable member with respect to a stationary structure. The housing includes a base that is adapted to be mounted adjacent the pivotable member (e.g., a cage door). A pair of spaced flanges is affixed to the base, with each of the flanges extending away from the door and lying in planes which are generally perpendicular to the base. Each of the flanges has two openings which are adapted to slidably receive first and second elongated appendages, with both appendages being slidably held with respect to the housing, and with each appendage having an outer region extending outwardly away from the housing. The two latching appendages are adapted to move in different directions to engage a portion of the stationary structure (i.e., the cage enclosure) so as to hold the cage door in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a control device for manipulating the appendages so as to slidably move the latching appendages inwardly (with respect to the housing). The control device includes a pair of protuberances, each having a length which is sufficient as to be easily engaged by a single digit of a user's hand. A pair of coil springs is provided for continuously urging the appendages in different directions away from the housing. A cover is preferably provided to enclose the biasing springs; the cover may be removed, so that the latching mechanism may be disassembled for inspection and maintenance, or it may be permanently captured.

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Burleson, TX, United States of America

E W Smith